The Department of Marketing parked under the Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) organised a field trip to DoubleTree by Hilton Damai Laut Resort on 5 April 2024. The field trip, coordinated by FBF academics Dr Anthony Tee Mooi Kwong and Cik Nur Aliah binti Mansor, saw the participation of students from Tourism Management, Social and Cultural Impacts of Tourism, and Hospitality Service courses.

The excursion’s goal was to offer practical learning and insights into hospitality services, encompassing aspects such as grasping the resort’s operational dynamics, excelling in customer service, gaining exposure to marketing and branding, acquiring hands-on experience in hospitality tasks, gaining internship insights, and emphasising the significance of environmental sustainability practices within the hospitality sector.

During the field trip, students were given a briefing by the Damai Laut Resort Staff Human Resource Manager Ms Nizah Hamdan, Learning and Development Executive Mr Badwin, and Guest Service Manager Mr Jeffrey Fairus Ioo.

Ms Nizah, the HR Manager, explored the potential collaboration avenues between UTAR and DoubleTree by Hilton Damai Laut Resort, emphasising areas like internships, training, research collaboration, curriculum development, guest lectures, career fairs, recruitment, joint events, and conferences. Additionally, she underscored facets of the resort’s operations such as delivering excellent customer service, exposure to marketing and branding, and the significance of environmental sustainability practices in the hospitality sector.

Moreover, the field trip provided students with tangible exposure to apply classroom concepts in real-world scenarios, fostering curiosity, stimulating critical thinking, and facilitating the practical application of knowledge. The hands-on experience also imparted valuable insights into customer service excellence, marketing strategies, and the pivotal role of environmental sustainability within hospitality services.

The students were also afforded the chance to experience the food and beverage service standards and quality within a resort environment. During the field trip, students were treated to a complimentary three-course lunch at Makan Kitchen, allowing them to observe and comprehend the service standards and quality upheld by the resort. This experience proved particularly beneficial for those studying hospitality services, offering them insights into the operational intricacies of the industry.

The exemplary customer service provided by the staff left a lasting impression, with students noting the professionalism and meticulous attention to detail required to deliver exceptional service within a resort setting. Overall, the field trip provided students with a practical context to engage with classroom concepts, enriching their understanding and retention of the hospitality industry.

In conclusion, the visit to DoubleTree by Hilton Damai Laut Resort granted students valuable insights into both the hospitality industry and the workings of a luxury resort. The potential collaboration between UTAR and Damai Laut Resort presents an exciting opportunity for further student learning and could significantly contribute to the advancement of the hospitality sector.